IRS Offering ID Theft Protection Program

The Internal Revenue Service is offering a pilot program in Georgia for taxpayers to help protect them from tax-related identity theft.

IRS officials said all Georgia taxpayers who filed federal returns last year are eligible for what the agency calls an Identity Protection PIN, or IP PIN.

Spokesman Mark Green said this pilot program has grown out of an effort that the IRS started last year.

“Last year, Georgians who were a victim of identity theft were provided a PIN number,” said Green. “That PIN was associated with their Social Security number. That way, we could make sure the correct party was filing the tax return. This year, we are allowing individuals to request a PIN. This Identity Protection Pin will help protect them for tax-related identity theft.”

The IP pin is a six-digit number that must be used on a tax return, in addition to the Social Security number, to verify the taxpayers’ identity.

The IRS said that once a taxpayer opts in to the program, they cannot opt out of it.

Taxpayers who choose to take part in this optional program will receive a new IP PIN by postal mail each year before filing season.

Green said the main purpose of the program is to additional extra protection to taxpayers who want that and live in areas where tax-related identity theft is more prevalent.

Again, this is an optional program for taxpayers.

For more information or to sign up, visit www.irs.gov/getanippin.